Police respond to IPCA recommendations in missing person case.

Police have apologised to the family of Nicholas Stevens following an Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) investigation into the handling of a missing person report.

After being reported missing on 9 March 2015, the body of Mr Stevens was found in the Waikato River in Hamilton on 12 March 2015.

Police accept the IPCA’s findings and recommendations and acknowledge that until 11 March, no one took responsibility for ensuring everything was being done to find Mr Stevens, a patient who was on approved leave from the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre.

As the report notes, this caused huge distress for Mr Stevens’ family, particularly his parents.

“We missed opportunities to search for Nicholas Stevens.

I’m very disappointed with how we responded to this missing person report.

Our service fell well below our standards,” says Waikato Police District Commander Bruce Bird.

“Over time Police has developed good systems and operating processes for missing persons, but I fully acknowledge that on this occasion key staff did not apply good judgement.

“While we have always had a good working relationship with Waikato District Health Board, I am also holding six monthly reviews of recommendations from any debriefs of missing mental health patients with the chief executive of Waikato DHB,” adds Mr Bird.

While the report says some officers later took appropriate steps to investigate and conduct a search for Mr Stevens, the IPCA makes a number of recommendations pertinent to Police procedure and policy.

Police has since made a number of improvements in response which will ensure there is greater oversight of missing person reports.

The Waikato Police District Command Centre has extended its hours of coverage, offering a service 24/7, putting more senior staff in charge of operations.

The increase in supervision means missing person reports will be channelled through senior officers.

This improvement is augmented by the creation of a case risk assessment team at Hamilton Central Police Station.

As highlighted in the report, Police has convened a working group to consider the issues around people missing from mental health facilities.

This is a key area for Police.

Approximately 540 Police Recruits have completed mental health training over the past 18 months.

Police Communications Centres has also developed terms of reference to make improvements.

This includes aligning their standard operating procedures, training, leadership, and culture.

Enhancements are being made to ensure a quality service is provided and that policies and processes are being adhered to.

“Police would again like to apologise to Mr Stevens’ family, who we let down in our handling of this incident.

We have learnt valuable lessons from this tragic death,” says Mr Bird.

ENDS

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